Emily Rupp, Realtor

This is crazy! Local resident caught in the tornado this morning.

FLORIDA TORNADO 🌪️ Wow. Jean R. was caught in the middle of the tornado that tore through Longwood in Florida this morning.

How to prepare your home for new buyers 🏡🔑

Sometimes, the hardest part about selling your home isn't negotiating the home inspection or even packing up to move...it's saying goodbye to the home where you lived and made memories.

I know how emotional this step can be, so today I'm sharing 3 things that you can do as a seller to prepare your home for the owners:

1️⃣ Pack a box for your house. When you're packing for your move, designate one box for the house. Put inside anything that has to do with your home maintenance or upkeep: appliance manuals, smart home tech/electronics guides and passwords, garage door openers, home maintenance records, vendor business cards or contact information, remote controls.

2️⃣ Leave it as clean as possible. When you turn the keys over to the new buyers, your home should be "broom clean" -- you don't have to hire a cleaning service or spend hours deep cleaning the baseboards. But, it's still a good idea to leave your home in the same condition you'd want to receive it.

Be sure all of your personal belongings are out -- including the attic, basement and crawl space and the top of your closet shelves, too!

3️⃣ Pass on your home's history: This isn't about telling your buyers when you last had your chimneys swept or your furnace inspected. This is all about giving your new buyer a glimpse at the history of your home. Do you know any fun facts about the original owners, or the time period in which your house was built? Pass those fun facts on to your buyer -- they'll want to know everything they can about your home!

BONUS TIP: Welcome your buyers with a note or a small gift (wine or beer from a local brewery, local coffee or tea, or a gift card to your favorite restaurant). They'll be thrilled to know that the previous owners took so much care in their home!

Livin’ that luxe life (without the luxe budget)!

I love discovering ways to make my home feel more luxurious *without* the big price tags that accompany an extensive home renovation.

Here are a few ideas you can try!

✨ Barefoot Dreams throw blanket for the sofa
✨ Smart speakers throughout your home
✨ Rainfall shower head for at-home spa days
✨ Aromatherapy diffusers with a favorite scent
✨ Upgraded lighting with dimmers
✨ Heated towel racks in the bathroom
✨ Automated blinds/window coverings
✨ Woven baskets to contain clutter
✨ House plants to brighten and freshen the air
✨ Blackout curtains in your bedroom

Would you add something to the list? Share it with me in the comments!

Homeownership would look good on you 🤩

How do you know if you're ready to stop renting and buy a home?

Here are some signs that you might be ready to make a move.

1) You're tired of moving every few years! I knew I was ready to buy when I found myself hesitating to unpack or decorate because I knew I would be moving soon. Put down those roots!

2) You have money saved for your down payment. You don't need 20%, but most conventional loans require at least 3.5%. Let me know if you'd like to talk to a lender to see where you currently stand.

3) You've checked your credit...and it's decent. Most loans require a minimum credit score of 620. You can check it for free once a year online.

4) You have little to no debt. Although you can get a mortgage with student loan debt, it's a good idea to get your consumer debt under control before you buy a home.

5) You are ready to do the upkeep and maintenance of a home. Homeownership can be challenging -- there's no landlord to call if water starts rushing through the ceiling! Either be prepared to watch a lot of YouTube videos or make sure you have a good handyman on call (I can connect you with a few of my favorites!).

6) You're ready to make your space your own. If you have Pinterest boards and Instagram collections full of home DIY projects, it might be time to start thinking about buying your own place.

7) You know the local real estate market. I don't expect you to be up on all of the local data and stats, but I do want you to know that the market is competitive right now for home buyers. It might take some time to find your dream home and I wouldn't want you to get discouraged!

If you're thinking about buying, drop me a note. I love to work with first-time home buyers and it's a great time to get the process started!